• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.268-279
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• 2004

Background : The tuberculin skin test has been used to diagnose latent tuberculosis infection, but is not widely used to diagnose or exclude pulmonary tuberculosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of the tuberculin test in diagnosing and excluding pulmonary tuberculosis, and differentiating pulmonary tuberculosis from nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) pulmonary disease, when a sputum acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear was positive. Material and Methods : From October 2002 to August 2003, among all the inpatients of the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Samsung Medical Center, 258 patients with clinical suspicion of pulmonary tuberculosis were enrolled and underwent a tuberculin test. Results : 156 males and 102 females were included, with a mean age of 57.5 years. The final diagnoses included lung cancer in 89 cases (34.5%), pulmonary tuberculosis in 59 cases (22.9%), bacterial pneumonia in 33 cases (12.8%) and NTM pulmonary disease in 24 cases (9.3%). The positive tuberculin test rate was higher in the tuberculosis than non-tuberculosis group; 81.4 (48/59) vs. 42.4% (81/199). (p<0.001). In 208 patients with a negative sputum AFB smear, the result of the tuberculin test was positive in 69.4% (25/36) of the tuberculosis group and in 44.8% (77/172) of the non-tuberculosis group (p=0.007), so a positive result of the tuberculin test could predict pulmonary tuberculosis with 69.4% sensitivity, 55.2% specificity, a 24.5% positive predictive value and a 89.6% negative predictive value. In 50 patients with a positive sputum AFB smear, the positive rates of the tuberculin test were 83.9% (26/31) in tuberculosis group and 21.1% (4/19) in NTM pulmonary disease group (p<0.001), so a positive result of the tuberculin skin test could predict pulmonary tuberculosis with 83.9% sensitivity, 78.9% specificity, a 86.7% positive predictive value and a 75.0% negative predictive value. Conclusion : The tuberculin test could be useful in excluding pulmonary tuberculosis when the sputum AFB smear is negative, and to differentiate pulmonary tuberculosis from NTM pulmonary disease when the sputum AFB smear is positive.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.131-135
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• 2006

Oligopeptide is known to be an essential nitrogen nutrient for bacterial growth. Oligopeptide can be transported into cytoplasm by a specific transport system, Opp system. Opp system is composed of five proteins, which are transcribed by an operon. These are responsible for oligopeptide binding protein (OppA), permease (OppB and OppC) and energy generation system (OppD and OppF), respectively. Previously, we isolated the opp operon from Vibrio fluvialis and constructed the oppA mutant by allelic exchange method. In this study, we investigated the growth pattern and biofilm production under the different growth condition. When the cells were cultivated using brain heart infusion(BHI) medium, the wild type was faster than the mutant in growth during the exponential phase. However, it showed that the growth pattern of two strains in M9 medium is very similar. The growth of wild type showed better than that of the mutant grown at pH 8. At pH 7, there was no an obvious difference in growth. After 5 mM $H_2O_2$ was treated to the cells $(OD_{600}=1.2)$, the cell survival was examined. The oppA mutation did not affect in survivability. In the presence of $10{\mu}g/ml$ polymyxin B, the biofilm production of the oppA mutant was higher than that of the wild type.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.6
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• pp.576-581
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• 2005

Background : Thoracic actinomycosis is a relatively uncommon anaerobic infection caused by Actinomyces israelii. There have been only a few case reports of endobronchial actinomycosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical manifestation and treatment of endobronchial actinomycosis. Material and Methods : Seven patients with endobronchial actinomycosis, who were diagnosed in the past 10 years, were retrospectively reviewed. Results : Cough and sputum were the most common symptoms. The chest radiograph and computed tomography showed necrotic consolidation (n=3), atelectasis (n=2), mass (n=1) and an endobronchial nodule (n=1). Proximal broncholithiasis was observed in five patients. All cases were initially suspected to have either lung cancer or tuberculosis. In these patients, the median duration of intravenous antibiotics was 3 days (range 0-12 days) and the median duration of oral antibiotics was 147 days (range 20-412 days). Two patients received oral antibiotic therapy only. There was no clinical evidence of a recurrence. Conclusion : Endobronchial actinomycosis frequently manifests as a proximal obstructive calcified endobronchial nodule that is associated with distal post-obstructive pneumonia. The possibility of endobronchial actinomycosis is suggested when findings of broncholithiasis are present at chest CT. The traditional recommendation of 2-6 weeks of intravenous antibiotics and 6-12 months of oral antibiotic therapy are not necessarily essential in all cases of endobronchial actinomycosis.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.93-102
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• 2007

Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) was known as one of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced products of macrophage. Macrophages play an important role in the development of inflammatory responses by secreting an array of cytokines and chemokines in a tissue microenvironment. To identify the function and relationship between potent growth factors and SLPI after LPS stimulation, we conducted reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blots for the detection of mRNA and protein expression of SLPI and growth factors such as VEGF, PDGF, bFGF after 100 ng LPS stimulation on the RAW264.7 cells. The result of RT-PCR was showed SLPI mRNA expression was increased from 60 min to 48h in RAW 264.7 cells after incubation with LPS. VEGF and PDGF mRNA was expressed highly at initial stage by LPS stimulation. The mRNA of bFGF and type I collagen was very weakly expressed after LPS stimulation. SLPI protein level was increased likely the mRNA levels in RAW 267.7 cells. Additionally, phase contrast and scanning electron microscopic observation demonstrated that the LPS induce the change of morphology of the RAW264.7 cells. From these results, it suggest that expression of SLPI by LPS treatment may associate with VEGF and PDGF expression in RAW264.7 cells.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.1018-1025
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• 2016

Probiotics are considered as the best effective alternatives to antibiotics. The aim of this study was to characterize the probiotic potential of lactobacilli for use in swine farming by using in vitro evaluation methods. A total of 106 lactic acid bacterial isolates, originating from porcine feces, were first screened for the capacity to survive stresses considered important for putative probiotic strains. Sixteen isolates showed notable acid and bile resistance, antibacterial activity, and adherence to intestinal porcine epithelial cells (IPEC-1). One isolate, LR1, identified as Lactobacillus reuteri, was selected for extensive study of its probiotic and functional properties in IPEC-1 cell models. L. reuteri LR1 exhibited good adhesion to IPEC-1 cells and could inhibit the adhesion of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) to IPEC-1 cells. L. reuteri LR1 could also modulate transcript and protein expression of cytokines involved in inflammation in IPEC-1 cells; the Lactobacillus strain inhibited the ETEC-induced expression of proinflammatory transcripts (IL-6 and TNF-α) and protein (IL-6), and increased the level of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10). Measurement of the permeation of FD-4 showed that L. reuteri LR1 could maintain barrier integrity in monolayer IPEC-1 cells exposed to ETEC. Immunolocalization experiments showed L. reuteri LR1 could also prevent ETEC-induced tight junction ZO-1 disruption. Together, these results indicate that L. reuteri LR1 exhibits desirable probiotic properties and could be a potential probiotic for use in swine production.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.812-820
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• 2011

This study was conducted to characterize $CO_2$ biomineralization on several minerals (i.e., CaO, MgO, $SiO_2$) by bottle test in an aqueous solution and solidified sludge using different aerobic bacterial strains like Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus pasteurii by batch test. These bacteria promote the formation of microenvironments that facilitate the precipitation of mineral phases that were unsaturated in the bulk solution. For one type of mineral solely amended, the $CO_2$ was reduced at the highest of 4.0 mmol for MgO while it was not that much lower for CaO and $SiO_2$ showing 1.1 and 0.3 mmol $CO_2$2, respectively. For two types of minerals simultaneously amended, the $CO_2$ was reduced at the greater extent for both Ca + Mg and Mg + Si showing 2.7 and 2.3 mmol, respectively whereas it was less for Ca + Si at 1.8 mmol. For solidified sludge, the $CO_2$ reduction rate changed depending on the volume of solidified sludge placed in the medium and the input $CO_2$ concentration.. The reduction rate of $CO_2$ was increased with increasing the volume of solidified sludge. Results of XRD analysis indicate that $CaCO_3$ (Calcite) was dominantly formed among others (e.g., Aragonite, Dolomite). SEM analysis showed that the sample with Bacillus pasteurii, could more form minerals rather than control. As demonstrated in this study, $CO_2$ would be effectively sequestered in biomineralization process.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.859-870
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• 2004

This study was conducted to investigate physico-chemical changes of pork prepared by Korean traditional 3 types seasoning such as soybean sauce(Tl); garlic sauce(T2); red pepper sauce(T3). The seasoned samples were aged at 0 ${\pm}$ $1^{\circ}C$ for 30 days. The results obtained were as follows; Salinity(%) and saccharinity(%) of sauce were significantly decreased(P<0.05) among the all treatments during aging periods, whereas fermented meats were significantly increased(P<0.05). pH of sauce and fermented meat were tended to increased as aging period. Water-Holding Capacity(WHC) and shear force of fermented meat increased(P<0.05) among the all treatments at 20 days of storage, and decreased after that period. In color, $L^* and b^* value of T3 were lower, while a^*$ value was higher than other treatments during aging period. Volatile Basic Nitrogen(YBN) value of all treatments were increased(P<0.05) after 20 days of storage. YBN value of T3 was significantly higher(P<0.05) compared with other treatments. Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances(TBARS) was rapidly increased until 10 days of storage and somewhat decreased up to 20 days after 10 days in all treatments, it was re-increased after 20th days. T3 showed the highest TBARS among the all treatment groups. Total bacterial and Lactobacilli spp. were significantly increased(P<0.05) in all treatments at 10 days of storage and decreased after that period, however it tended to increased at 30 days of storage. In sensory evaluation, overall acceptability in all treatments were increased after 20 days of storage compared to initial storage and it score was similar thereafter.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.281-289
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• 2005

This study investigated the effect of dried food-waste diets(FW) fermented by Aspergillus oryzae(AO), on broiler growth performance, $NH_3$, emission and fecal microflora. Three hundreds broilers, two week old Hubbard strain, were randomly allotted to 4 experiments and fed with standards early boiler diet replaced with FW and AFW. In experiment 1, eighty four broilers were distributed into 7 treatments with 4 pens at 3 birds per replicate(pen). The dietary treatments ; T1 was com-soy bean meal based broiler diet(Control), T2, T3, T4 were for basal diet replaced with dried food waste without AO(FW) at the level of 20, 40 and $60\%$, respectively and T5, T6 and T7 followed the same levels for the basal diet but using Aspergillus oryzae inoculate food-waste(AFW). For experiments 2, 3, 4, seventy two broilers were distributed into 6 treatments with 4 pens at 3 birds per replicate(pen), respectively. The dietary treatments were the com-soy bean meal based broiler diet replacement with different combinations of FW and AFW, 1:0, 3:1, 1:1, 1:3, 0:1. at level of 20, 40 and $60\%$, respectively. In Exp. 1, it tended to be decreased in weight gain, however, there were no statistical differences among treatments except FW $60\%$ level of replacement(p<0.05). Feed intake and feed efficiency was not different among treatments. Total bacterial counts were not different between the control and FW diet, but E. coli decreased as the AFW levels of replacement were increased(p<0.05). There were no differences in weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency among treatments in Exp. 2 and weight gains were lower fur FW diet compared with the control and AFW diet in Exp. 3(p<0.05). In Exp. 4, there were no differences in feed intakes among treatments, but lower in weight gain and feed efficiency in FW diet than that the control. In experiment 3, the $NH_3$ emission was the highest among treatments in FW/AFW 1:0 diet(p<0.05). From these results, it seems that FW would be supplemented up to $20\%$ in broiler diets and AO culture extract could improve FW value as feed supplements.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.401-409
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• 2004

Background: As the rupture of chordae and/or papillary muscle became the main cause of mitral valve regurgitation, mitral reconstructive surgery has a very important role. In this regard, we analyzed the clinical result and postoperative early result of operative treatment performed in our hospital, Material and Method: For this analysis, forty nine patients (male 26, female 23, mean age 49.0$\pm$16.5) who underwent mitral valve operation caused by the rupture of chordae and/or papillary muscle from August 1991 to April 2002 were reviewed. Among forty nine patients, twenty two (44.9%) received mital valve reconstruction and twenty seven (59.2%) received mitral valve replacement. Result: As to the pathological etiology of rupture of mitral and papillary muscle, twenty five cases (51.0%) were nonspecific degeneration, eleven cases (22.4%) were myxomatous degeneration, seven cases (14.3%) were subacute bacterial endocarditis. Three patients suffered mortality after operation (6.1%) and valve replacement was performed again on one patient because of remnant mitral insufficiency after valve reconstruction. The 5-year survival rate after operation for the entire mitral valve regurgitation patients was 81 .4%. We have also compared and analyzed the operation results of a group of patients who underwent valve reconstruction and the other group of patients who underwent valve replacement from thirty six patients who had suffered from mitral valve regurgitation caused by degenerative disease. The mortalities were 0% and 14.3%, respectively and the 5-year survival rates were 90.2% and 64.3%, respectively, but there were no statistical significance. Conclusion: The most common pathological etiology of mitral valve regurgitation caused by rupture of chordae and/or papillary muscle was nonspecific degeneration, In case of degenerative disease is the cause of mitral valve regurgitation, valve reconstruction showed better long-term effects in many respects and better operation results compared to valve replacement.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.99-103
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• 2007

The antibacterial efficacy of 0.1% (w/v) chitosan solution against Staphylococcus intermedius isolated from a dog with superficial pyoderma was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The exposure time for the 0.1% chitosan solutions at different pH to be able to eliminate the bacterial cells and the effect of pH of the solutions on antibacterial activity was tested at the same time in vitro. The antibacterial activity of chitosan was compared to other antibacterial agents including 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, 0.5% chlorhexidine acetate, 0.1% chitosan solution combined with 2.5% benzoyl peroxide and chitosan combined with 0.5% chlorhexidine using a modified detergent scrub quantitative technique in 10 adult mongrel dogs in vivo. They were able to eliminate a number of bacteria after the exposure time of 10 minutes at varying degrees according to the pH of the solutions. The antibacterial activity of chitosan was inversely affected by pH with higher activity at lower pH value. The 0.1% chitosan solution was also efficacious against Staphylococcus intermedius in vivo. The combinations of chitosan with benzoyl peroxide and with chlorhexidine were shown to exert higher activity when compared to those of chitosan alone and benzoyl peroxide or chlorhexidine alone. The 0.1% chitosan solution was considered to be efficacious against Staphylococcus intermedius isolated from a dog with superficial pyoderma in both in vivo and in vitro and have a potential for the clinical applications in the treatment or pyoderma in dogs.